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Anvil
06-10-2013, 07:33 PM
I had an issue with the trim on my boat and couldn't get it to a marina. I called a local marina that I had taken my boat to in the past. They said that they would pick it up the next day and diagnose the problem. It has been a week and a half and they still haven't picked it up. I am tired of waiting and am looking to call someone else. Any suggestions?
upthesaukee
06-10-2013, 07:45 PM
If they said they would pick it up the next day, and it has been a week and a half, did you give thought to calling on the 2nd or 3rd or 4th day after.

Never had dealings with the marina, but hear a lot of good things about PBM. Sometimes a message gets lost or misplaced.

I would have made a call after a few days or three, and asked what the status was...will you be able to pick it up....we are hoping to have it back by xxx date if possible...you get the drift.

Just a thought on my part...no criticism on you, Anvil.
Anvil
06-10-2013, 07:49 PM
My bad...it wasn't Paugus Bay Marina. It was a marina in the Paugus Bay area.

I have called 4 times and have heard a different excuse every time (very busy, it's raining etc.)
upthesaukee
06-10-2013, 08:35 PM
Is it in a Marina now or a private dock? On a trailer...

May make a difference on how quick another marina can help you out.

or a friend that can get it to a marina for you?

Not sure who to recommend on that end of the lake.
Anvil
06-11-2013, 06:34 AM
It is at my private dock. They said that they were definitely getting it by Tuesday. So, I will call them again today. I have been using this marina for the last 5 years, but at another location. I may call my contact at the other marina and see if they can light a fire under somebody.
codeman671
06-11-2013, 08:27 AM
It is at my private dock. They said that they were definitely getting it by Tuesday. So, I will call them again today. I have been using this marina for the last 5 years, but at another location. I may call my contact at the other marina and see if they can light a fire under somebody.

Is this a warranty issue where you need to use that specific marina? What type of boat/problem?
Anvil
06-11-2013, 12:09 PM
It is a SeaRay and the trim is not working. It is stuck in the up position. It is not under warranty so I can take it to anyone.

I called again today and am waiting to hear back whether they picked it up yesterday.
Dave R
06-11-2013, 02:27 PM
Trim issues are very easy to troubleshoot on a Merc. Any interest in trying to fix it yourself?
AC2717
06-11-2013, 03:15 PM
a lot of time it is the trum button itself
8gv
06-11-2013, 04:45 PM
If you post the symptoms here I'm sure we'll be able to fix it by committee. :D

I had a Mercruiser stern drive (in salt water) that had the trim cylinders seize. The drive was tilted up so I couldn't get it down with the trim motor. It had been getting progressively worse and I shouldn't have ignored it. My solution was to stand on the anti cavitation plate while wifey operated the trim switch.

Yes, I took the hint and took it directly to the repair shop.
Anvil
06-11-2013, 06:03 PM
Hey guys,

Thanks for the input. I have very little mechanical ability and even less time. As my wife says....my strength is in writing checks!
codeman671
06-11-2013, 06:06 PM
Hey guys,

Thanks for the input. I have very little mechanical ability and even less time. As my wife says....my strength is in writing checks!

Try calling Matt at Supreme Marine, he could probably troubleshoot it at your dock and for a lot less.
HomeWood
06-11-2013, 06:12 PM
Is the lower unit stuck in the up position? Is there not a way to open the system to relieve the pressure? I guess that could be messy and you wouldn't want hydro oil dumped into the lake, but just a thought.
NHskier
06-11-2013, 08:48 PM
Something very simple to try would be to give the trim solenoids a gentle whack with the handle of a screwdriver as it may simply be a bit of corrosion on the contacts.

On my Volvo-Penta unit the solenoids are located in the engine compartment right by the trim pump. There are two (up & down), each about an inch square. To clean the contacts they can be pulled right out.
Dave R
06-12-2013, 03:55 PM
Is the lower unit stuck in the up position? Is there not a way to open the system to relieve the pressure? I guess that could be messy and you wouldn't want hydro oil dumped into the lake, but just a thought.

9 times out of 10, it's electrical and caused by an issue on the low current side of the circuit or the solenoids. The Mercruiser trim solenoids are right on the trim pump as well, but not as easy to swap as the Volvo Penta relays. The mercs are easier to jump though, so assuming the pump is OK, with a piece of wire, one can make the trim move quite easily by lumping across the high current posts on either of the solenoids. There's very likely no need to drain oil if the drive is stuck in the up position.
HomeWood
06-15-2013, 06:55 PM
Good to know, Dave. Our Monterey up there has a Mercruiser, so I'll keep that in mind.
Dave R
06-17-2013, 05:01 AM
Good to know, Dave. Our Monterey up there has a Mercruiser, so I'll keep that in mind.

One other thing to note, Mercruiser uses the same solenoid for the up trim, down trim and starter slave solenoid. All can be changed without too much fuss on the water, so one spare part in you tool box can have you covered for three part failures, on a part that has a high failure rate. The part number is 89-96158T.